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Matildas to face former boss Alen Stajcic in Olympic qualifiers

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Why this is more than just 'Tony Gustavsson's Matildas' (1:38)

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson discusses the aggressive mentality of the side going into a home World Cup, and what their ascendance means to players past, present and future. Catch 'Matildas: The World At Our Feet' on Disney+ from April 26. (1:38)

Australia will come up against former coach Alen Stajcic once again when they continue their quest for Olympic glory.

The Matildas, the highest-ranked Asian women's football team, will face Taiwan (world No. 37), the Stajcic-coached Philippines (No. 49) and Iran (No. 67) on home soil.

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World No. 10 Australia defeated the Philippines 4-0 in last year's AFC Asian Cup group stage, but the Philippines -- known as the Malditas -- went onto finish fourth in the competition, one place higher than the Matildas, and they will make their Women's World Cup debut later this year.

Australia once again face Taiwan in a second-round Olympic qualifier, after defeating them 7-0 four years ago.

Iran reached the second round of qualifying after recording two hard-fought wins in the previous round.

Australia, China, North Korea, South Korea and Japan all pre-qualified for the second round of Olympic qualifiers, as they are the top-five Asian teams.

Australia, China and Uzbekistan will each host a leg of the second-round matches, which begin in late October.

The teams will each play three matches in a round-robin group, with the three group winners and the best-placed runners up progressing to the final round of qualifying where they will battle for the two Olympic places.

The final knockout round will be be held in 2024

The Matildas are looking to better their best Olympic placing at the Tokyo games, where they finished fourth after losing to the U.S. in the bronze medal match.

Second Round of Asian Women's Olympic Qualifying Matches

Group A: Australia, Taiwan, Philippines, Iran (matches played in Australia)

Group B: China, South Korea, Thailand, North Korea (matches played in China)

Group C: Japan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, India (matches played in Uzbekistan)